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{{short description|American telecommunications and mass media company}} | |||
'''Charter Communications''' {{NASDAQ|CHTR}} is a company providing ], ], ] and ] services to many cities in the ]. | |||
{{use American English|date=May 2015}} | |||
==External Links== | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2018}} | |||
* | |||
{{Infobox company | |||
| name = Charter Communications, Inc. | |||
| image = Charter Communications HQ Stamford.jpg | |||
| image_caption = Headquarters of Charter Communications in Stamford, Connecticut | |||
| logo = Charter Communications Logo.svg | |||
| type = ] | |||
| traded_as = {{ubl|class=nowrap|{{NASDAQ|CHTR}} (Class A)|] component|] component|] component}} | |||
| industry = ]s<br>] (]) | |||
| predecessors = {{ubl | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
}} | |||
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1993}} in ], U.S. | |||
| founders = {{ubl|Barry Babcock|Jerald Kent|Howard Wood}} | |||
| hq_location_city = ] | |||
| hq_location_country = U.S. | |||
| area_served = 41 states<ref name="CharterProfile">{{cite web|work=Charter Communications|title=Company Profile {{!}} Charter Communications Newsroom|url=https://newsroom.charter.com/company-profile/|access-date=September 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907135329/https://newsroom.charter.com/company-profile/|archive-date=September 7, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| key_people = {{ubl|] (])|Chris Winfrey (] and ])}} | |||
| products = {{ubl|]|]|]|]|]|]|]|]}} | |||
| brands = ] | |||
| revenue = {{nowrap|{{increase}} US$54.61 billion (2023)<ref name=10-K />}} | |||
| operating_income = {{increase}} US$12.56 billion (2023)<ref name=10-K /> | |||
| net_income = {{decrease}} US$5.26 billion (2023)<ref name=10-K /> | |||
| assets = {{increase}} US$147.2 billion (2023)<ref name=10-K /> | |||
| equity = {{increase}} US$14.72 billion (2023)<ref name=10-K /> | |||
| num_employees = {{circa| 101,100}} (2023)<ref name=10-K>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/ixviewer/ix.html?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1091667/000109166724000028/chtr-20231231.htm |title=Charter Communications, Inc. 2023 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |date=2 February 2024 |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| owners = {{ubl|] (23.3%)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/3-reasons-love-charter-communications-121500984.html |title=3 Reasons to Love Charter Communications |date=September 14, 2019 |publisher=] |first=Jim |last=Royal |access-date=May 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517221325/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/3-reasons-love-charter-communications-121500984.html |archive-date=May 17, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>|] (13%)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSFWN18O0DE|title=BRIEF-Newhouse Broadcasting reports 13 pct stake in Charter Communications |date=May 27, 2016 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=April 12, 2021 }}</ref>|] (2.33%)}} | |||
| website = {{URL|https://corporate.charter.com/}} | |||
| module = {{infobox network service provider|child=yes|asn=7843}} | |||
}} | |||
] | |||
'''Charter Communications, Inc.''', is an American ] and ] company with services branded as ]. The company is headquartered in ]. | |||
] | |||
{{tv-stub}} | |||
With over 32 million customers in 41 states as of 2022,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=About Charter |url=https://corporate.charter.com/about-charter |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=Charter}}</ref><ref name="CharterProfile"/> it is the largest ] operator in the United States by subscribers,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/charter-communications-q4-earnings-subscribers-2023-disney-1235812479/ |title=Charter Loses 257K Video Subs in Q4, 'Partly Driven' by Disney Dispute, but Now Tops Comcast |date=February 2, 2024 |work=] |access-date=February 5, 2024 }}</ref> just ahead of ], and the largest ] operator ahead of Comcast and ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/media/americas-new-cable-tv-king-almost-gave-up-on-television-671f3d89 |title=America's New Cable-TV King Almost Gave Up on Television |date=February 2, 2024 |newspaper=] |first1=Patience |last1=Haggin |first2=David |last2=Marcelis |access-date=February 5, 2024 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Charter is the fifth-largest telephone provider based on number of residential lines. It's brand of Spectrum services also include ], ], ], and ].<ref>. ''enterprise.spectrum.com''. Retrieved August 29, 2024.</ref> | |||
{{telecom-corp-stub}} | |||
In late 2012, with longtime ] executive Thomas Rutledge named as their CEO, Charter relocated its corporate headquarters from ], ], to ], ], though kept many of its operations in St. Louis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/10/02/gov-malloy-charter-communications-moving-corporate-hq-to-stamford/|title=Gov. Malloy: Charter Communications Moving Corporate Headquarters to Stamford|publisher=CBS New York|access-date=June 30, 2017|date=October 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913091625/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/10/02/gov-malloy-charter-communications-moving-corporate-hq-to-stamford/|archive-date=September 13, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 18, 2016, Charter finalized acquisition of ] and its sister company ],<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 22, 2017|title=TWC acquisition by Charter|url=https://www.buyinternetcable.com/blog/why-time-warner-cable-now-spectrum|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924062008/https://www.buyinternetcable.com/blog/why-time-warner-cable-now-spectrum|archive-date=September 24, 2020|website=BIC}}</ref> making it the third-largest pay television service in the United States.<ref name="latimes-chartercompletespurchase">{{cite news|title=Charter completes purchase of Time Warner Cable, Bright House|url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-charter-time-warner-cable-20160517-snap-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=June 30, 2017|date=May 18, 2016|first=Meg|last=James|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718085742/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-charter-time-warner-cable-20160517-snap-story.html|archive-date=July 18, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bloomberg-solongtwc" /><ref name="lat-chartertwc" /> In 2019, Charter ranked No. 70 in the ] list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fortune.com/fortune500/2019/charter-communications/|title=Fortune 500 Companies 2019: Charter Communications|website=Fortune|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110190356/https://fortune.com/fortune500/2019/charter-communications/|archive-date=November 10, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==History== | |||
===1980–1992: Beginnings=== | |||
Charter Communications CATV systems was founded in 1980 by Charles H. Leonard in Barry County, Michigan.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.j-adgraphics.com|title=Cable TV firm wins franchise in Nashville.|last=Hinkley|first=Susan|date=1982|work=The Hastings Banner, Maple Valley News, The Reminder}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Wait's over: Cable TV contract OK'd|last=Havenga|first=Marie|date=1982|work=The Hastings Banner, Maple Valley News, The Reminder|publisher=J-AD Graphics}}</ref> The original Charter system headquarters and offices were located at 1001 Payne Lake Road, ]. Leonard began a corporate partnership with Gary Wilcox and Gerry Kazma, both from ], Illinois, during which Spectrum Communications (Wilcox) merged with Charter Systems (1981–1983). | |||
===1993: Consolidation and founding of Charter Communications, Inc.=== | |||
Through continued mergers and acquisition, Charter was consolidated in 1993 by Barry Babcock, Jerald Kent and Howard Wood, who had been former executives at ] in St. Louis, Missouri. It was also incorporated in the state of Missouri in 1993.<ref name="history">{{cite web |author = Staff (undated) |url = http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/charter-communications-inc-history/ |title = Company History for Charter Communications, Inc. |access-date = May 28, 2015 |publisher = fundinguniverse.com |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150527020857/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/charter-communications-inc-history/ |archive-date = May 27, 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref> | |||
===1994–1998: Early growth=== | |||
In 1995, Charter paid about $300 million for a ] in the cable television systems owned by ] and acquired Cable South.<ref name=history /> | |||
In 1997, Charter and ] worked together to deliver ] access through cable modems to Charter's customers in ] and ].<ref name=history /> | |||
In 1998, ] bought a controlling interest. The company paid $2.8 billion to acquire Dallas-based cable company ]. Charter Communications had one million customers in 1998.<ref name=history /> | |||
===1999–2008: Nasdaq listing and acquisitions=== | |||
In November 1999, the company went public, trading on the ] stock exchange.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cauley|first1=Leslie|date=November 3, 2000|title=Charter Communications Posts a Wider-Than-Expected Loss|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB973207055176054507|format=abstract|work=]|access-date=June 30, 2017|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222224746/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB973207055176054507|archive-date=February 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, it had 3.9 million customers. | |||
Charter completed more than 10 major acquisitions in 1999 when it:<ref name=history /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/paul-allen-charter-and-what-might-have-been-jon-talton/|title=Paul Allen, Charter and what might have been {{!}} Jon Talton|date=May 27, 2015|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=February 6, 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206190400/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/paul-allen-charter-and-what-might-have-been-jon-talton/|archive-date=February 6, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
*Added 68,000 subscribers in Southern California with the purchase of four cable systems from American Cable Entertainment of Stamford, Connecticut. | |||
*Acquired 400,000 ] subscribers, primarily in the Southeast. As part of the deal Charter would turn over about 140,000 of its subscribers to ] in a cable system swap. | |||
*Merged with ] | |||
*Acquired cable systems serving 460,000 subscribers from Rifkin Acquisition Partners and InterLink Communications. | |||
*Acquired 173,000 subscribers, mostly in central Massachusetts, from New Jersey–based Greater Media Inc. | |||
*Acquired Renaissance Media Group, a New York partnership serving 130,000 customers near ], western Mississippi, and ]. | |||
*Acquired New Jersey–based Helicon Cable Communications. The systems served about 171,000 customers in eight states in the Southeast and Northeast. | |||
*Acquired Avalon Cable TV, adding 260,000 subscribers primarily in ] and ]. | |||
*Acquired Vista Broadband Communications in ], Georgia, adding 30,000 more customers. | |||
*Acquired Falcon Cable TV of ]. Falcon was the eighth-largest cable operator in the United States with about one million subscribers in 27 states in primarily non-urban areas. | |||
*Acquired Fanch Communications Inc. of ]. Fanch had 547,000 subscribers in ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. | |||
Charter also began swapping customers with other systems to improve the geographic clustering of its systems. In December 1999, it signed a letter of intent with ] to swap 1.3 million cable subscribers in St. Louis as well as in ], ], and ]. In 2000, Charter Communications bought select AT&T cable markets, including ], and the City of St. Louis.<ref>Staff (March 1, 2001). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714164135/http://news.investors.com/technology/030101-346096-among-atandts-new-moves-cable-tv-swap-with-charter.htm |date=July 14, 2014 }}. ] (via '']''). Retrieved May 28, 2015.</ref> | |||
In 2001, ] and Charter signed an agreement to offer MSN content and services to Charter's broadband customers. In the same year, Charter received awards, including the Outstanding Corporate Growth Award from the Association for Corporate Growth, the ] Innovator of the Year Award from the Southern Cable Telecommunications Association,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091667/000095012401503195/0000950124-01-503195.txt |format=TXT |title=Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications |website=sec.gov |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |access-date=June 30, 2017 |date=September 11, 2001 |first=Mary Jo |last=Moehle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514062602/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091667/000095012401503195/0000950124-01-503195.txt |archive-date=May 14, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Fast 50 Award for Growth from the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association. | |||
In 2008, Charter stock failed to meet Nasdaq standards and was given warning to comply by October 13 or request an extension.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/04/14/daily88.html |newspaper=St. Louis Business Journal |publisher=American City Business Journals |date=April 18, 2008 |department=Technology |access-date=June 30, 2017 |first=Matt |last=Allen |title=Charter Communications stock price not in compliance with Nasdaq requirements |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205135221/http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/04/14/daily88.html |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Also in 2008, it acquired the cable-television franchise and service for the ] and ], California, areas from ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://archive.vcstar.com/business/after-early-glitches-charter-settles-in-ep-373967712-352601681.html/|title=After early glitches, Charter settles in|access-date=February 6, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206201820/http://archive.vcstar.com/business/after-early-glitches-charter-settles-in-ep-373967712-352601681.html/|archive-date=February 6, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===2009: Bankruptcy and emergence=== | |||
In February 2009, Charter Communications announced that it planned to file for ] of the ] on or before April 1, 2009. The action would allow Charter to pay its debt obligations, and cancel its obligations to shareholders.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} ] firm ] expected to own most of Charter's shares after the bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/americasDealsNews/idUSTRE52I6VR20090319 |title=Apollo plans to own most of Charter after bankruptcy: sources |work=Reuters |date=March 19, 2009 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |first=Caroline |last=Humer |department=Deals |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090323063257/http://www.reuters.com/article/americasDealsNews/idUSTRE52I6VR20090319 |archive-date=March 23, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Charter filed for a prearranged bankruptcy on March 28, 2009. The company expected the financial ] to reduce its debt by $8 billion, as well as adding $3 billion of new investment, and refinancing other debt. | |||
On November 30, 2009, its bankruptcy plan was approved, which extinguished its stock and cut approximately $8 billion in debt.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Charter Communications Completes Financial Restructuring and Emerges From Chapter 11 |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112298&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1359904&highlight= |date=November 30, 2009 |access-date=December 1, 2009 |publisher=corporate-ir.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225213111/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112298&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1359904&highlight= |archive-date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> That day, Charter emerged from bankruptcy despite many of its creditors' objections over its bankruptcy plan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Charter Exits Chapter 11 |first=Karl |last=Bode |newspaper=BroadbandReports.com |date=November 30, 2009 |url=http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Charter-Exits-Chapter-11-105703 |access-date=December 1, 2009 |publisher=dslreports.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403024252/http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Charter-Exits-Chapter-11-105703 |archive-date=April 3, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
===2010–2012: Nasdaq re-listing; leadership change=== | |||
] | |||
On September 14, 2010, Charter Class A common stock was re-listed on Nasdaq under the symbol "CHTR".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Charter+Comm+%28CHTR%29+Returns+to+the+Nasdaq+after+BK/5967886.html |title=Charter Comm (CHTR) Returns to the Nasdaq after BK |website=streetinsider.com |date=September 14, 2010 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203035142/http://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Charter+Comm+%28CHTR%29+Returns+to+the+Nasdaq+after+BK/5967886.html |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In 2011, ] co-founder ] stepped down as chairman and from the board of directors' seat, but at the time remained the largest single shareholder. Also in that year, Charter signed a multi-year deal with ] to deliver content via its platform.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112298&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1519174&highlight= |title=Charter Announces Next Generation TV Strategy with TiVo |publisher=Charter Communications |access-date=June 30, 2017 |date=January 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110130202/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112298&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1519174&highlight= |archive-date=January 10, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Thomas M. Rutledge was appointed as a director and president and chief executive officer effective February 13, 2012.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112298&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1641184&highlight= |title=Charter Communications Names Thomas M. Rutledge as President and CEO |date=December 19, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |publisher=Charter Communications |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110130202/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112298&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1641184&highlight= |archive-date=January 10, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
The same year, Charter priced $1.25 billion senior debt, offering to pay down short- and long-term debt.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hibbard|first=Matthew|title=Charter prices $1.25 billion senior debt offering|url=http://www.telarus.com/industry/charter-prices-$1.25-billion-senior-debt-offering.html|access-date=August 9, 2012|newspaper=Telecom Industry Updates|date=August 9, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827160526/http://www.telarus.com/industry/charter-prices-%241.25-billion-senior-debt-offering.html|archive-date=August 27, 2012}}</ref> | |||
===2013–2014: Purchase of Optimum West; Liberty Media investment=== | |||
On February 8, 2013, Charter announced an agreement to acquire some former ] systems from ] in a transaction worth US$1.63 billion.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-08/charter-to-buy-optimum-west-for-1-63-billion.html |title=Charter to Buy Optimum West for $1.63 Billion |access-date=February 8, 2013 |publisher=] |date=February 8, 2013 |first=Serena |last=Saitto |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212040421/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-08/charter-to-buy-optimum-west-for-1-63-billion.html |archive-date=February 12, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The deal brought Charter cable systems to 375,000 customers in Colorado's mountains and Western Slope, as well as in Utah, Wyoming and Montana.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323452204578290213200288742 |title=Charter Buys Optimum West |newspaper=] |url-access=subscription |date=February 7, 2013 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |first1=John |last1=Jannarone |first2=Shalini |last2=Ramachandran |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223005719/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323452204578290213200288742 |archive-date=February 23, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Approximately one month later, on March 19, 2013, Charter announced that ], a company controlled by former ] CEO ], would be acquiring a 27.3% ownership interest in the company, making it the company's largest single shareholder, largely through the purchase of interests held by investment funds following Charter's 2009 restructuring.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ir.libertymedia.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=749440|title=Charter Communications and Liberty Media Corporation Announce Agreement for Investment|author1=Charter Communications|author2=]|date=March 19, 2013|access-date=May 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629164015/http://ir.libertymedia.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=749440|archive-date=June 29, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2014, Liberty's holdings in Charter as well as a small minority interest in Time Warner Cable were spun off as a separate holding company named Liberty Broadband Corporation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ir.libertymedia.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=880478|title=Liberty Media Corporation Announces Completion of Liberty Broadband Corporation Spin-Off|author=Liberty Media|date=November 4, 2014|access-date=May 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629104536/http://ir.libertymedia.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=880478|archive-date=June 29, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> which as of early 2015 was 47.1% controlled by Malone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1611983/000155837015000333/lbrd-20141231x10k.htm|title=Liberty Broadband Corporation 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K|date=March 12, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102071252/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1611983/000155837015000333/lbrd-20141231x10k.htm|archive-date=January 2, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===2014–2017: Acquisition of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks=== | |||
] van used by ]]] | |||
On January 13, 2014, Charter Communications said it was interested in buying its larger rival ]. After three previous attempts to buy and merge with the company, all of which failed, Charter's chief executive officer Thomas Rutledge wrote in an open letter to Time Warner Cable's chief executive officer Robert Marcus stating, "I believe we have a significant opportunity to put our companies together in a way that will create maximum, long-term value for shareholders and employees of both companies".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/1/13/5305448/charter-makes-twc-merger-bid | title=Charter makes $37.4 billion offer to purchase Time Warner Cable | website=The Verge | date=January 13, 2014 | access-date=January 22, 2014 | author=Kastrenakes, Jacob | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122023158/http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/13/5305448/charter-makes-twc-merger-bid | archive-date=January 22, 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> The $132.50 per share offer, just above TWC's closing price at $132.40 on January 13, was rejected.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/1/22/5331202/meet-the-cable-industry-darth-vader-behind-charters-bid-for-time | title=Cable TV's Darth Vader is back to reclaim his empire | website=The Verge | date=January 22, 2014 | author=Popper, Ben | access-date=August 30, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224205609/http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/22/5331202/meet-the-cable-industry-darth-vader-behind-charters-bid-for-time | archive-date=December 24, 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
On February 13, 2014, Time Warner Cable accepted an offer of $158.82 per share from ], avoiding a ] situation from Charter.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://articles.philly.com/2014-02-14/news/47308293_1_merger-comcast-comcast-executive-vice-president-larger-comcast | title=Comcast chief executive officer Brian Roberts says merger is 'pro-consumer' | publisher=philly.com | date=February 14, 2014 | access-date=February 15, 2014 |first=Bob |last=Fernandez |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307093622/http://articles.philly.com/2014-02-14/news/47308293_1_merger-comcast-comcast-executive-vice-president-larger-comcast |archive-date=March 7, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Time Warner Cable to Merge with Comcast Corporation to Create a World-Class Technology and Media Company|url=http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/about-us/press/twc-to-merge-with-comcast.html|publisher=]|access-date=April 28, 2014|date=February 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429050537/http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/about-us/press/twc-to-merge-with-comcast.html|archive-date=April 29, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On April 28, 2014, Comcast and Charter announced that, assuming Comcast's merger with Time Warner Cable was successful, Charter would acquire 1.4 million Comcast/Time Warner Cable customers, bringing Charter's subscriber total to 30 million and making Charter, by its own count, the second-largest cable operator in the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/04/28/comcast-charter-reach-deal/8381783/ |title=Comcast sheds customers in Charter deal |newspaper=USA Today |date=April 28, 2014 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |first=Mike |last=Snider |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110130202/http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/04/28/comcast-charter-reach-deal/8381783/ |archive-date=January 10, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to the 1.4 million divested subscribers, Comcast also agreed to swap 1.6 million subscribers with Charter in an even, tax-efficient exchange whose intent is to improve the geographic spread of both companies. In a third part of the agreement, Comcast would spin off 2.5 million subscribers into a new publicly traded company in which Charter would hold a 33% stake – with an option to eventually own the whole company – and former Time Warner Cable shareholders would hold a 67% stake.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2014/04/28/comcast-strikes-deal-with-charter-to-divest-nearly-4-million-subscribers | title=Comcast Strikes Deal with Charter to Divest Nearly 4 Million Subscribers | work=forbes.com | date=April 28, 2014 | access-date=June 9, 2014 | first=Maggie | last=McGrath | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604014341/http://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2014/04/28/comcast-strikes-deal-with-charter-to-divest-nearly-4-million-subscribers/ | archive-date=June 4, 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In late March 2015, Charter announced plans to purchase ] from ] for $10.4 billion in a combination of cash and equities convertible to Charter stock. The deal was contingent on, among other approvals, the completion of Charter's transactions with Comcast, and the expiration of Time Warner Cable's ] to buy Bright House itself (which was not expected to be exercised in light of the merger with Comcast).<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://ir.charter.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=112298&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2030907|title=Charter to Acquire Bright House Networks for $10.4 Billion|publisher=Charter Communications|date=March 31, 2015|access-date=May 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110130203/http://ir.charter.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=112298&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2030907|archive-date=January 10, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, facing potential difficulties in reaching regulatory approval, Comcast called off its merger with Time Warner Cable in April 2015.<ref name=nyt-calledoff>{{cite news|title=Comcast-Time Warner Cable Deal's Collapse Leaves Frustrated Customers Out in the Cold|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/27/business/media/mergers-collapse-leaves-frustrated-cable-customers-out-in-the-cold.html?_r=0|work=]|access-date=May 25, 2015|first=Hilary|last=Stout|date=April 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525204555/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/27/business/media/mergers-collapse-leaves-frustrated-cable-customers-out-in-the-cold.html?_r=0|archive-date=May 25, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On May 26, 2015, Charter and Time Warner Cable announced that they had entered into a definitive agreement for Charter to merge with Time Warner Cable in a deal valued at $78.7 billion.<ref>{{cite web |title=Charter Communications to Merge with Time Warner Cable and Acquire Bright House Networks |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091667/000119312515199495/d930887dex991.htm |work=] |access-date=May 27, 2015 |date=May 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302153436/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091667/000119312515199495/d930887dex991.htm |archive-date=March 2, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Charter also confirmed that it would continue with its proposed acquisition of Bright House Networks under slightly modified terms. The deal was subject to regulatory approval, although the deal was expected to face less scrutiny from the FCC than the Comcast/TWC deal, as the companies were relatively smaller, and their media holdings are not as extensive as those of Comcast. The TWC and Bright House systems as well as Charter Cable were to be migrated to the Spectrum brand following the conclusion of the merger.<ref name=nyt-merger>{{cite news|title=Broadband at the Center of Charter-Time Warner Cable Deal|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/27/business/dealbook/charter-communications-agrees-to-acquire-time-warner-cable.html?_r=0|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=June 30, 2017|date=May 26, 2017|first=Emily|last=Steel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823020537/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/27/business/dealbook/charter-communications-agrees-to-acquire-time-warner-cable.html?_r=0|archive-date=August 23, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Liberty Broadband will invest a further $5 billion in Charter and will ultimately hold about 20% ownership in the combined entity. Advance/Newhouse will own about 14%, and other current Time Warner Cable shareholders are expected to hold a combined 44% stake.<ref name=nyt-merger /> The merger was approved by the Department of Justice and FCC on April 25, 2016; it is subject to conditions, including a requirement that Charter must not implement usage-based billing, nor use its dominant position in the market to impact the online video industry – which includes a prohibition on charging for interconnections.<ref name="ars-okayedtwc">{{cite web|title=DOJ, FCC chairman ok Charter/Time Warner Cable deal, with a few caveats|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/04/doj-fcc-chairman-ok-chartertime-warner-cable-deal-with-a-few-caveats/|website=Ars Technica|publisher=Conde Nast, a division of Advanced Publications|access-date=May 30, 2017|first=Cyrus|last=Farivar|date=April 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202122043/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/04/doj-fcc-chairman-ok-chartertime-warner-cable-deal-with-a-few-caveats/|archive-date=December 2, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nyt-approvedtwc">{{cite news|title=Regulators Approve Charter Communications Deal for Time Warner Cable|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/26/technology/charter-time-warner-cable-bright-house-cable-deal.html?_r=0|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=May 30, 2017|date=April 25, 2016|first1=Cecilia|last1=King|first2=Emily|last2=Steel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101101358/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/26/technology/charter-time-warner-cable-bright-house-cable-deal.html?_r=0|archive-date=November 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Charter was also required to expand its services to two million new households, with at least one million being in markets where competing providers operate.<ref name="verge-nooverbuilding"/> | |||
The merger was completed on May 18, 2016.<ref name="latimes-chartercompletespurchase" /><ref name="bloomberg-solongtwc">{{cite web|title=So Long Time Warner Cable: Charter to Retire Much-Maligned Brand|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-17/so-long-time-warner-cable-charter-to-retire-much-maligned-brand|website=Bloomberg|access-date=May 18, 2016|date=May 17, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518095150/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-17/so-long-time-warner-cable-charter-to-retire-much-maligned-brand|archive-date=May 18, 2016|first=Alex|last=Sherman}}</ref> The purchase made Charter the third-largest pay television company in the United States, behind ] and ] (the former having completed its merger with ] in mid-2015).<ref name=lat-chartertwc>{{cite news|title=Charter-Time Warner Cable deal would create nation's 3rd-largest pay-TV service|url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-charter-communications-to-buy-time-warner-cable-20150525-story.html#page=1|access-date=May 26, 2015|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=May 26, 2015|first1=Meg|last1=James|first2=Jim|last2=Puzzanghera|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526105401/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-charter-communications-to-buy-time-warner-cable-20150525-story.html#page=1|archive-date=May 26, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Since 2017: Post-Time Warner Cable acquisition=== | |||
] bucket truck in ]]] | |||
On January 26, 2017, it was reported that ] was in talks with Charter to discuss a possible buyout.<ref name="verizon1">{{cite news|last=Fung|first=Brian|date=January 26, 2017|title=Verizon is reportedly in talks to merge with Charter, America's second-biggest cable company|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/01/26/verizon-is-reportedly-in-talks-to-merge-with-charter-americas-second-biggest-cable-company/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126230436/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/01/26/verizon-is-reportedly-in-talks-to-merge-with-charter-americas-second-biggest-cable-company/|archive-date=January 26, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="verizon2">{{cite magazine|last=Robehmed|first=Natalie|date=January 26, 2017|title=Why A Potential Verizon-Charter Tie-Up Makes Sense|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2017/01/26/why-a-potential-verizon-charter-tie-up-makes-sense/|magazine=Forbes|access-date=January 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126172414/http://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2017/01/26/why-a-potential-verizon-charter-tie-up-makes-sense/|archive-date=January 26, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> President and CEO of ], ] said that they were not interested in the deal.<ref name="verizon3">{{cite web|title=Charter doesn't need Verizon to buy it, Liberty CEO Maffei says|url=http://www.fiercecable.com/cable/charter-doesn-t-need-a-verizon-to-buy-it-liberty-ceo-maffei-says|publisher=FierceCable. Questex|access-date=June 30, 2017|date=March 2, 2017|first=Daniel|last=Frankel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309004902/http://www.fiercecable.com/cable/charter-doesn-t-need-a-verizon-to-buy-it-liberty-ceo-maffei-says|archive-date=March 9, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="verizon4">{{cite web|title=Charter doesn't need a Verizon deal, says Liberty's Maffei|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2017/02/28/charter-doesnt-need-a-verizon-deal-says-libertys.html|work=Denver Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|access-date=June 30, 2017|date=February 28, 2017|first=Greg|last=Avery|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623190203/http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2017/02/28/charter-doesnt-need-a-verizon-deal-says-libertys.html|archive-date=June 23, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The deal was rejected around the end of May 2017.<ref name="verizon5">{{cite web|work=New York Post|title=Cable giant Charter snubbed a buyout bid from Verizon|url=https://nypost.com/2017/05/31/cable-giant-charter-snubbed-a-buyout-bid-from-verizon/|access-date=June 30, 2017|date=May 31, 2017|first1=Claire|last1=Atkinson|first2=Josh|last2=Kosman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628005148/http://nypost.com/2017/05/31/cable-giant-charter-snubbed-a-buyout-bid-from-verizon/|archive-date=June 28, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Charter claimed that the deal was too low for them to accept, and Charter's largest shareholder Liberty Media stated that they were not ready to sell. | |||
In March 2017 under new FCC leadership, Charter's regulatory conditions were changed to require that Charter expand its services to 2 million households that are not currently served by any broadband provider, as opposed to requiring one million of these households to be in areas served by a competitor. The decision was made under goals by new chairman ] to increase the availability of broadband in rural areas not served by high-speed Internet, but was criticized for maintaining ] rather than encouraging wider competition.<ref name="verge-nooverbuilding">{{cite web|title=FCC removes competition requirement from Charter-TWC merger conditions|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/3/15161456/fcc-charter-merger-condition-overbuild-reversed|website=The Verge|access-date=June 30, 2017|date=April 3, 2017|first=Jacob|last=Kastrenakes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612162146/https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/3/15161456/fcc-charter-merger-condition-overbuild-reversed|archive-date=June 12, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In May 2017, it was reported that Charter and Comcast had entered into an agreement to "explore working together in a number of potential operational areas in the wireless space" in respect to ]s (MVNOs); both providers have agreements with ] to re-sell its services, and Comcast announced that it would begin to do so under the brand ] later in the year. The agreement includes a provision, lasting for one year, that requires the companies to receive consent from each other before performing wireless-related acquisitions or mergers.<ref name="ars-noncompetemobile">{{cite web|title=Comcast and Charter agree not to compete against each other in wireless|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/05/comcast-and-charter-agree-not-to-compete-against-each-other-in-wireless/|website=Ars Technica|access-date=June 30, 2017|first=Jon|last=Brodkin|date=May 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628082503/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/05/comcast-and-charter-agree-not-to-compete-against-each-other-in-wireless/|archive-date=June 28, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On June 21, 2017, it was reported that Charter was in talks to buy ].<ref name="CharterCox1">{{cite web|work=New York Post|title=Cable giants in talks for yet another high profile merger|url=https://nypost.com/2017/06/21/cable-giants-in-talks-for-yet-another-high-profile-merger/|access-date=June 30, 2017|first=Claire|last=Atkinson|date=June 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628190635/http://nypost.com/2017/06/21/cable-giants-in-talks-for-yet-another-high-profile-merger/|archive-date=June 28, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On March 28, 2017, ] went on strike, representing 1,800 employees. The company had proposed moving independently managed health and pension benefits to its own company plans, which union members considered would include drastic cuts for them and their families and loss of job security.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://spectrumstrike2017.com/|title=Our Strike|last=keitzmann|website=#SPECTRUMSTRIKE|language=en-US|access-date=December 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229020509/http://spectrumstrike2017.com/|archive-date=December 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/nyregion/spectrum-workers-strike-approaches-5-month-mark.html|title=Spectrum Workers' Strike Approaches 5-Month Mark|last=Ferré-Sadurní|first=Luis|date=August 25, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 30, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230235203/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/nyregion/spectrum-workers-strike-approaches-5-month-mark.html|archive-date=December 30, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The strike ended on April 19, 2022, with an outcome that some found disappointing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.laborpress.org/union-gives-up-on-epic-charter-spectrum-strike/|title=Union Gives Up on Epic Charter/Spectrum Strike|last=Hennelly|first=Bob|date=May 12, 2022|website=laborpress|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208032346/https://www.laborpress.org/union-gives-up-on-epic-charter-spectrum-strike/|archive-date=February 8, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On March 12, 2018, it was reported that ] had purchased 5% of Charter's stock on the open market.<ref name="Frankel">{{cite web |url=https://www.fiercecable.com/cable/softbank-back-charter-hunt-reportedly-buys-5-cable-operator-s-stock |title=SoftBank back on the Charter hunt? Reportedly buys 5% of cable operator's stock |date=March 12, 2018 |access-date=April 23, 2018 |website=FierceCable |publisher=Questex |first=Daniel |last=Frankel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408210353/https://www.fiercecable.com/cable/softbank-back-charter-hunt-reportedly-buys-5-cable-operator-s-stock |archive-date=April 8, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
====Threatened revocation of New York cable franchises==== | |||
In June 2018, the ] fined Charter $2 million for failing to meet obligations it agreed to as conditions of its acquisition of Time Warner Cable. Charter was required to expand broadband service to at least 145,000 unserved or underserved residential units over four years, with a minimum of 36,250 new units per-year. The company was accused of making false statements in its progress reports, with an audit finding that Charter fraudulently declared at least 14,000 addresses already served by the company as being "new" deployments. The commission threatened the possibility of further regulatory remedies, including revocation of its cable franchises.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/06/new-york-threatens-to-revoke-charters-purchase-of-time-warner-cable/|title=New York threatens to revoke Charter's purchase of Time Warner Cable|work=Ars Technica|access-date=2018-07-27|language=en-us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727193925/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/06/new-york-threatens-to-revoke-charters-purchase-of-time-warner-cable/|archive-date=July 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/03/ny-says-charter-lied-about-new-broadband-threatens-to-revoke-its-franchise/|title=NY says Charter lied about new broadband, threatens to revoke its franchise|work=Ars Technica|access-date=2018-07-27|language=en-us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728035632/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/03/ny-says-charter-lied-about-new-broadband-threatens-to-revoke-its-franchise/|archive-date=July 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On July 27, 2018, the NYPSC voted to retroactively reverse its approval of Charter's acquisition of TWC, thus revoking its franchises in the state of New York. The commission cited Charter's repeated failures to meet deadlines on expansion promised as part of the TWC purchase, "attempts to skirt obligations to serve rural communities", and "purposeful obfuscation of its performance and compliance obligations to the Commission and its customers." Within 60 days, Charter was to submit a plan to divest and migrate its New York state cable operations (which serve around 2 million customers) to new owners.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/27/new-york-votes-to-revoke-approval-of-charters-time-warner-cable-acqui.html|title=New York votes to revoke approval of Charter's Time Warner Cable acquisition|last=Aiello|first=Chloe|date=2018-07-27|work=CNBC|access-date=2018-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727190229/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/27/new-york-votes-to-revoke-approval-of-charters-time-warner-cable-acqui.html|archive-date=July 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/07/ny-threatens-to-kick-charter-out-of-the-state-after-broadband-failures/|title=NY threatens to kick Charter out of the state after broadband failures|work=Ars Technica|access-date=2018-07-27|language=en-us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727113105/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/07/ny-threatens-to-kick-charter-out-of-the-state-after-broadband-failures/|archive-date=July 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/07/new-york-revokes-approval-of-chartertime-warner-cable-merger/|title=NY orders Charter out of state, says it must sell Time Warner Cable system|work=Ars Technica|access-date=2018-07-28|language=en-us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728035845/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/07/new-york-revokes-approval-of-chartertime-warner-cable-merger/|archive-date=July 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Charter CEO ] threatened legal action against the commission.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/1/17639976/charter-threat-new-york-lawsuit-spectrum|title=Charter CEO threatens lawsuit over New York's attempt to kick Spectrum out of the state|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-08-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802111927/https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/1/17639976/charter-threat-new-york-lawsuit-spectrum|archive-date=August 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The company was later granted repeated extensions of its deadline.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/03/new-york-hasnt-followed-through-on-order-to-kick-charter-out-of-state/|title=New York hasn't followed through on order to kick Charter out of state|last=Brodkin|first=Jon|date=2019-03-08|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|access-date=2019-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423004159/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/03/new-york-hasnt-followed-through-on-order-to-kick-charter-out-of-state/|archive-date=April 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/ny-psc-extends-deadline-for-charter-six-month-plan|title=NY PSC Extends Deadline for Charter Six-Month Plan|last=Farrell|first=Mike|website=Multichannel|date=December 17, 2018 |language=en-us|access-date=2018-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220230938/https://www.multichannel.com/news/ny-psc-extends-deadline-for-charter-six-month-plan|archive-date=December 20, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In April 2019, Charter agreed to new conditions, under which it must complete its expansion of 145,000 new premises by September 30, 2021 (being credited for 64,827 premises up until December 2018), all of which must be outside of New York City, and are subject to milestone requirements. Charter must also contribute $12 million to a fund "for broadband expansion projects at locations to be selected by the Department and the Broadband Program Office", with half of this funding to be provided to either Charter or a competitor via a competitive bidding process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/04/charter-avoids-getting-kicked-out-of-new-york-agrees-to-new-merger-conditions/|title=Charter avoids getting kicked out of New York, agrees to new merger conditions|last=Brodkin|first=Jon|date=2019-04-22|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|access-date=2019-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423004202/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/04/charter-avoids-getting-kicked-out-of-new-york-agrees-to-new-merger-conditions/|archive-date=April 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
====Streaming venture==== | |||
In April 2022, Charter and ] announced plans for a 50/50 venture to develop a streaming platform. As part of this effort, Comcast would license its Flex streaming platform and offer up the XClass TVs and the ] streaming service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2022-04-27 |title=Comcast, Charter Form Joint Venture to Launch Nationwide Streaming Platform |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/comcast-charter-form-joint-venture-to-launch-nationwide-streaming-service-1235242283/ |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
====Unbundling and September 2023 Disney/Spectrum carriage dispute==== | |||
{{Main|Disney–Charter Communications dispute}} | |||
In July 2023, Charter announced a major change to its cable offerings, allowing consumers to choose between the Spectrum Select Plus cable package with regional sports offerings and the Spectrum Select Signature package without, for a lower cost. Major sports networks ] and ] would still be available with the cheaper option.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spectrum TV Channel Lineup |url=https://www.spectrum.com/cable-tv/channel-lineup |access-date=September 17, 2023 |website=Spectrum}}</ref> This move came at a time when many consumers were cutting the cord and regional sports networks were struggling.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=2023-07-10 |title=Sports On Pay-TV Are Stuck In "Outdated" Model, Charter Concedes In Unveiling New Two-Tier Structure For Spectrum; Non-Fans To Get Cheaper Package |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/sports-pay-tv-model-charter-spectrum-sportsnet-new-two-tier-structure-rsn-1235433373/ |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
At the same time, it announced a new distribution agreement with ] that would allow that service to provide more flexible options for consumers not interested in sports programming.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charter Communications Announces New, Industry-Leading Distribution Model for Regional Sports Networks {{!}} Charter Communications |url=https://corporate.charter.com/newsroom/charter-announces-new-distribution-model-for-regional-sports-networks |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=corporate.charter.com |language=en}}</ref> | |||
ESPN and sister Disney channels went dark on Charter Spectrum on August 31, 2023, interrupting coverage of the college football season opener and the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/espn-abc-pulled-charter-spectrum-carriage-dispute-1235579642/ |title=Disney Channels, Including ABC and ESPN, Go Dark on Charter Spectrum In Major Carriage Dispute |author=Alex Weprin |website=Hollywood Reporter |date=August 31, 2023}}</ref> Charter wanted to offer cheaper, non-sports packages to customers, as a way to fight ] and to prepare for ESPN's potential launch of a full-service over-the-top subscription service.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/disney-charter-dispute-espn-christopher-winfrey-cable-model-1235710596/ |title= Charter CEO Seeks To Rewrite Cable Carriage Rules in Disney Dispute |author=Brian Steinberg |website=Variety |date=September 1, 2023}}</ref> The dispute ended on September 11, 2023, with capitulations by Disney involving the offering of ESPN+ and Disney+ direct to Spectrum customers, along with sports-free bundles, though it also resulted in the removal of several networks (whose programming had already been widely available on Hulu and Disney+ or was otherwise a low priority for carriage), including ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name="thr-break-bundle">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/disney-spectrum-charter-pay-tv-1235587933/|title=Disney and Charter Avoided Breaking the Pay TV Bundle. Is That Good?|first=Alex|last=Weprin|work=]|date=September 12, 2023|access-date=September 14, 2023}}</ref> | |||
==== Acquisition of Liberty Broadband shares ==== | |||
On November 13, 2024, Charter announced its intent to acquire Liberty Broadband—a spin-off from Liberty Media that has held its stake in the company—in an all-stock deal. As a condition of the agreement, Liberty Broadband will spin off its subsidiary ] to its shareholders.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=2024-11-13 |title=John Malone’s Liberty Broadband To Be Acquired By Charter In All-Stock Deal |url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/john-malone-liberty-broadband-acquired-by-charter-communications-1236175146/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
== Operations == | |||
]]] | |||
===Current operations=== | |||
As of 2022, Charter Communications offers service to an estimated 32 million people in 41 states<ref name=":1" /> with significant coverage in 48 states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadbandmap.gov/provider/wireline/charter-communications|title=Broadband Map – Provider Coverage – National Broadband Map|work=National Broadband Map|date=2018-12-07|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529065635/http://www.broadbandmap.gov/provider/wireline/charter-communications|archive-date=May 29, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Charter Communications Overview and Coverage|url=http://broadbandnow.com/Charter-Communications|publisher=broadbandnow.com|access-date=June 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110130202/http://broadbandnow.com/Charter-Communications|archive-date=January 10, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Anders |first1=David |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Need Home Internet Service? Find the Internet Providers in Your Area |url=https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/internet-providers-in-my-area/ |publisher=] |publication-date=April 21, 2022 |agency=Red Ventures |access-date=May 5, 2022 |url-access= }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Paul |first1=Trey |date=April 29, 2022 |title=Spectrum Home Internet Review: Keeping Cable Service Simple |url=https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/spectrum-internet-review/ |publisher=] |publication-date=April 29, 2022 |agency=Red Ventures |access-date=May 5, 2022 |url-access= }}</ref> | |||
In November 2013, the company announced the re-branding of its residential services to Charter Spectrum, which encompassed an upgrade to an all-digital network for its video, voice and broadband services.<ref>Ferrell, Mike (November 14, 2013). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714202219/http://www.multichannel.com/news/cable-operators/charter-unveils-spectrum-brand/325774 |date=July 14, 2014 }}. '']''. Retrieved May 27, 2015.</ref> The company relied heavily on a predominantly ]–based network. The newer ] service-delivery network system, provides higher ] speeds than are available with its coaxial cable infrastructure.<ref>Staff (undated). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714124253/http://www.getcharterspectrum.com/what-is-spectrum/ |date=July 14, 2014 }}. Charter Communications. Retrieved May 27, 2015.</ref> | |||
Enterprise and mid-market businesses use Spectrum Enterprise for their services, which include fiber internet access, internet security, managed services, unified communications, and television products.<ref>. ''Spectrum Enterprise''. Retrieved August 29, 2024.</ref> Spectrum Business offers services to small businesses, which include internet access, internet security, phone, television, and Spectrum Mobile for Business.<ref>. ''Spectrum Business''. Retrieved August 29, 2024.</ref> | |||
Spectrum's ] advertising arm, Spectrum Reach, currently offers service in 36 states across 91 ]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Markets Map |url=https://www.spectrumreach.com/markets-map |website=Spectrum Reach |access-date=July 9, 2023 }}</ref> | |||
===Former operations=== | |||
On March 27, 2006, Charter announced that it would sell cable systems serving approximately 43,000 customers in ], ], ], and ] to Orange Broadband Holding Company (since renamed ]).<ref>{{cite press release | |||
| title = Charter Communications Announces Agreement to Sell Systems Serving Approximately 43,700 Customers; Subsidiaries of Orange Broadband Holding Company, LLC to Purchase Charter Assets | |||
| publisher = Spectrum | |||
| date = March 22, 2006 | |||
| url = http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112298&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=834461&highlight= | |||
| access-date = May 25, 2008 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
Charter also sold cable systems in West Virginia and Virginia to Cebridge Connections (later ] and now known as ]) and cable systems in Kentucky and Illinois to New Wave Communications.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.slfp.com/022806BIZp.htm |title=Charter Communications Sells Non-Strategic Assets |date=February 28, 2006 |publisher=Saint Louis Front Page |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060329064736/http://www.slfp.com/022806BIZp.htm |archive-date=March 29, 2006 }}</ref> The company eventually returned to those areas (excluding Illinois) in 2016 when it acquired Time Warner Cable. | |||
On October 14, 2008, the ''Fairmont Sentinel'' reported that Charter was selling parts of their system to ], including Charter's offices in ] and ], Minnesota.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fairmontsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/502139.html|title=New cable firm seeks support|last=Feddersen|first=Megan|date=October 14, 2008|newspaper=Fairmont Sentinel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204144724/http://fairmontsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/502139.html|archive-date=February 4, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Starting February 1, 2009, Midcontinent took over some of Charter's cable system in Minnesota including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and surrounding communities. Other areas in Minnesota would have sold to ], but the deal fell through.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.midcocomm.com/pressroom/NewsDetail202.cfm?Id=0,13 |publisher=Midcontinent Communications |date=January 12, 2009 |title=Midcontinent Expands Network in Minnesota |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211191708/http://www.midcocomm.com/pressroom/NewsDetail202.cfm?Id=0%2C13 |archive-date=February 11, 2009 }}</ref> | |||
On October 22, 2010, Charter sold 32 head-ends serving 65,000 customers in ], ], ], ], ] and ], to ].<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112298&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1486159&highlight= |title=Charter Completes Sale of Various Cable Systems to Cobridge Communications |date=October 22, 2010 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |publisher=] |agency=PR Newswire via ] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110130202/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112298&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1486159&highlight= |archive-date=January 10, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==Lawsuits== | |||
In 2002, the ] investigated the company, leading to the ] of four former executives in 2005 for improper financial reporting related primarily to the inflation of cable subscriber numbers to improve financial figures.<ref>{{cite court |url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCOURTS-moed-4_05-cv-00332/pdf/USCOURTS-moed-4_05-cv-00332-1.pdf |litigants=Charter Communications, Inc v. David L. McCall |court=] |date=November 18, 2005 |access-date=June 30, 2017 }}</ref> | |||
In 2004, Charter settled a class-action lawsuit concerning the questionable financial reporting associated with the U.S. Department of Justice's 2002 investigation and subsequent indictment of four former executives. Current and former shareholders (and their attorneys) were awarded $144 million as well as an agreement from Charter to maintain and implement proper corporate ] measures.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2004/08/02/daily66.html |title=Charter to pay $144M to settle class action suits |date=August 6, 2004 |newspaper=St. Louis Business Journal |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205135306/http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2004/08/02/daily66.html |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In June 2010, Charter settled a class-action lawsuit for $18 million concerning wage and overtime claims for current and former field technicians in California, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Nebraska.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.cedmagazine.com/news/2010/06/charter-settles-lawsuit-with-field-techs-for-$18m |title=Charter settles lawsuit with field techs for $18M |magazine=CED |publisher=] |date=June 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715123948/http://www.cedmagazine.com/news/2010/06/charter-settles-lawsuit-with-field-techs-for-%2418m |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |first=Mike |last=Robuck }}</ref> | |||
In December 2013, a complaint was filed by Steelhead Licensing LLC for patent infringement of U.S. Patent 8082318; it is described as "Controlling service requests transmitted from a client to a server".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US8082318|title=Patent US8082318 – Controlling service requests transmitted from a client to a server|work=google.com|access-date=June 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223160323/http://www.google.com/patents/US8082318|archive-date=February 23, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.priorsmart.com/steelhead-licensing-v-charter-communications-l9GH/|title=Steelhead Licensing LLC v. Charter Communications Inc. patent lawsuit|work=priorsmart.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221093033/http://news.priorsmart.com/steelhead-licensing-v-charter-communications-l9GH/|archive-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>Patent {{cite patent |country=US |number=8082318 |fdate=August 30, 2002 |pubdate=December 20, 2011 |inventor=Michael R Hosking, Simon A Beddus, Patrick B Farley, David Roxburgh |pridate=September 28, 2001 |assign1=British Telecommunications |title=Controlling service requests transmitted from a client to a server }}</ref> | |||
In January 2016, the National Association of African-American Owned Media and ]'s ] filed a $10 billion civil rights lawsuit against Charter, claiming discrimination for Charter's refusal to pick up Allen's ] (which mainly carry ES content already syndicated through local television stations and ]); Allen and the NAAAOM (which has an Entertainment Studios executive as its head) have already filed the same type of suit against several other providers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/byron-allen-entertainment-studios-10-billion-discrimination-lawsuit-charter-fcc-1201691330/|title=Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Files $10 Billion Discrimination Lawsuit Against Charter Communications, FCC|first=Cynthia|last=Littleton|date=January 28, 2016|work=]|access-date=June 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731043810/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/byron-allen-entertainment-studios-10-billion-discrimination-lawsuit-charter-fcc-1201691330/|archive-date=July 31, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/business/article/Charter-revenue-losses-up-amid-diversity-6806535.php|title=Charter revenue, losses up amid diversity row|newspaper=]|first=Alexander|last=Soule|date=February 4, 2016|access-date=June 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731035401/http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/business/article/Charter-revenue-losses-up-amid-diversity-6806535.php|archive-date=July 31, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In May 2016, Charter reached a settlement with the FCC regarding allegations by ] that, in 2012, following the introduction of new rate plans and the introduction of DOCSIS 3.0, it had begun to bar new subscribers or those switching to the new plans from utilizing customer-purchased modems. Although Charter ended this practice in 2014 and began to allow certain certified modems to be used, Zoom argued that the company was still deliberately limiting options by requiring the modems to undergo a testing protocol concerning factors beyond whether they cause interference or unauthorized receipt of service (the only two factors which providers may use to restrict allowable modems under FCC policy). Charter paid a $640,000 fine, and agreed to use a shorter testing process allowing the use of any DOCSIS 3.0-compatible modem, and send compliance reports to the FCC every six months and whenever a modem is blacklisted.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/05/charter-blocked-customer-owned-modems-for-two-years-must-pay-fine/|title=Charter blocked customer-owned modems for two years, must pay fine|website=Ars Technica|access-date=June 30, 2017|first=Jon|last=Brodkin|date=May 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211084203/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/05/charter-blocked-customer-owned-modems-for-two-years-must-pay-fine/|archive-date=February 11, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On February 1, 2017, Charter was sued by the ] for ] in areas that Charter acquired by the purchase of Time Warner Cable.<ref name="wsj-chartersuitny">{{cite web|title=Charter Sued by New York Over Internet Speeds|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/charter-sued-by-new-york-over-internet-speeds-1485983150|website=Wall Street Journal|access-date=June 30, 2017|date=February 1, 2017|first=Shalini|last=Ramachandran|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525131726/https://www.wsj.com/articles/charter-sued-by-new-york-over-internet-speeds-1485983150|archive-date=May 25, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="cnet-nycsuit">{{cite web|title=Charter's Spectrum sued for slow Internet speeds|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/ny-attorney-general-sues-charter-over-internet-speeds-spectrum-time-warner-cable/|website=CNET|access-date=June 30, 2017|first=Alfred|last=Ng|date=February 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502213318/https://www.cnet.com/news/ny-attorney-general-sues-charter-over-internet-speeds-spectrum-time-warner-cable/|archive-date=May 2, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The company agreed to a $174.2 million settlement, including both refunds of $75 to affected subscribers (with an additional $75 to those who rented the defective modem hardware for at least 24 months), and offers of complimentary subscriptions to services such as ] (3 months) or ] (6 months) to all subscribers with an internet and television bundle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/18/18146210/charter-spectrum-174-million-settlement-new-york-state-attorney-general-internet-speeds|title=Charter-Spectrum reaches $174.2 million settlement in New York AG's speed fraud lawsuit|last=Gartenberg|first=Chaim|date=2018-12-18|website=The Verge|access-date=2018-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220062601/https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/18/18146210/charter-spectrum-174-million-settlement-new-york-state-attorney-general-internet-speeds|archive-date=December 20, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On August 28, 2017, Charter agreed to a $225,000 settlement in the state of Missouri over violations of ] and ] laws.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/charter-to-pay-to-missouri-in-settlement-over-alleged-no/article_5e6b878d-0e73-5aaf-b0ef-b19d2ec1287f.html|title=Charter to pay $225,000 to Missouri in settlement over alleged no-call list violations|last=Suntrup|first=Jack|website=stltoday.com|date=August 28, 2017 |language=en|access-date=2018-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004094836/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/charter-to-pay-to-missouri-in-settlement-over-alleged-no/article_5e6b878d-0e73-5aaf-b0ef-b19d2ec1287f.html|archive-date=October 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In July 2022, a jury in ], ordered Charter to pay $375 million in compensatory damages plus $7 billion in punitive damages to the family of a woman who was murdered by a Spectrum technician. Lawyers for the woman's family contended that "systemic safety failures" at Spectrum led to the murder, and that Spectrum forged documents to force the case into arbitration instead of a jury trial, a claim that Charter denies. {{As of|2022|07}}, Charter plans to appeal the ruling.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marfin |first1=Catherine |title=Spectrum ordered to pay $7 billion in punitive damages after employee killed Irving woman |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/courts/2022/07/26/spectrum-ordered-to-pay-7-billion-in-punitive-damages-after-employee-killed-irving-woman/ |website=Dallas News |publisher=] |access-date=29 July 2022 |language=en |date=26 July 2022}}</ref> | |||
==See also== | |||
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==References== | |||
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== External links == | |||
{{Commons category|Charter Communications}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 17:50, 24 December 2024
American telecommunications and mass media company
Headquarters of Charter Communications in Stamford, Connecticut | |
Company type | Public |
---|---|
Traded as |
|
Industry | Telecommunications Mass media (Internet) |
Predecessors | |
Founded | 1993; 31 years ago (1993) in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
Founders |
|
Headquarters | Stamford, Connecticut, U.S. |
Area served | 41 states |
Key people |
|
Products | |
Brands | Spectrum |
Revenue | US$54.61 billion (2023) |
Operating income | US$12.56 billion (2023) |
Net income | US$5.26 billion (2023) |
Total assets | US$147.2 billion (2023) |
Total equity | US$14.72 billion (2023) |
Owners |
|
Number of employees | c. 101,100 (2023) |
ASN | |
Website | corporate |
Charter Communications, Inc., is an American telecommunications and mass media company with services branded as Spectrum. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.
With over 32 million customers in 41 states as of 2022, it is the largest cable operator in the United States by subscribers, just ahead of Comcast, and the largest pay TV operator ahead of Comcast and AT&T. Charter is the fifth-largest telephone provider based on number of residential lines. It's brand of Spectrum services also include internet access, internet security, managed services, and unified communications.
In late 2012, with longtime Cablevision executive Thomas Rutledge named as their CEO, Charter relocated its corporate headquarters from St. Louis, Missouri, to Stamford, Connecticut, though kept many of its operations in St. Louis. On May 18, 2016, Charter finalized acquisition of Time Warner Cable and its sister company Bright House Networks, making it the third-largest pay television service in the United States. In 2019, Charter ranked No. 70 in the Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.
History
1980–1992: Beginnings
Charter Communications CATV systems was founded in 1980 by Charles H. Leonard in Barry County, Michigan. The original Charter system headquarters and offices were located at 1001 Payne Lake Road, Yankee Springs Township, Michigan. Leonard began a corporate partnership with Gary Wilcox and Gerry Kazma, both from Naperville, Illinois, during which Spectrum Communications (Wilcox) merged with Charter Systems (1981–1983).
1993: Consolidation and founding of Charter Communications, Inc.
Through continued mergers and acquisition, Charter was consolidated in 1993 by Barry Babcock, Jerald Kent and Howard Wood, who had been former executives at Cencom Cable Television in St. Louis, Missouri. It was also incorporated in the state of Missouri in 1993.
1994–1998: Early growth
In 1995, Charter paid about $300 million for a controlling interest in the cable television systems owned by Crown Media Holdings and acquired Cable South.
In 1997, Charter and EarthLink worked together to deliver high-speed Internet access through cable modems to Charter's customers in Los Angeles and Riverside, California.
In 1998, Paul Allen bought a controlling interest. The company paid $2.8 billion to acquire Dallas-based cable company Marcus Cable. Charter Communications had one million customers in 1998.
1999–2008: Nasdaq listing and acquisitions
In November 1999, the company went public, trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange. At the time, it had 3.9 million customers.
Charter completed more than 10 major acquisitions in 1999 when it:
- Added 68,000 subscribers in Southern California with the purchase of four cable systems from American Cable Entertainment of Stamford, Connecticut.
- Acquired 400,000 InterMedia Partners subscribers, primarily in the Southeast. As part of the deal Charter would turn over about 140,000 of its subscribers to TCI in a cable system swap.
- Merged with Marcus Cable
- Acquired cable systems serving 460,000 subscribers from Rifkin Acquisition Partners and InterLink Communications.
- Acquired 173,000 subscribers, mostly in central Massachusetts, from New Jersey–based Greater Media Inc.
- Acquired Renaissance Media Group, a New York partnership serving 130,000 customers near New Orleans, western Mississippi, and Jackson, Tennessee.
- Acquired New Jersey–based Helicon Cable Communications. The systems served about 171,000 customers in eight states in the Southeast and Northeast.
- Acquired Avalon Cable TV, adding 260,000 subscribers primarily in Michigan and Massachusetts.
- Acquired Vista Broadband Communications in Smyrna, Georgia, adding 30,000 more customers.
- Acquired Falcon Cable TV of Los Angeles. Falcon was the eighth-largest cable operator in the United States with about one million subscribers in 27 states in primarily non-urban areas.
- Acquired Fanch Communications Inc. of Denver. Fanch had 547,000 subscribers in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Wisconsin.
Charter also began swapping customers with other systems to improve the geographic clustering of its systems. In December 1999, it signed a letter of intent with AT&T Corporation to swap 1.3 million cable subscribers in St. Louis as well as in Alabama, Georgia, and Missouri. In 2000, Charter Communications bought select AT&T cable markets, including Reno, Nevada, and the City of St. Louis.
In 2001, MSN and Charter signed an agreement to offer MSN content and services to Charter's broadband customers. In the same year, Charter received awards, including the Outstanding Corporate Growth Award from the Association for Corporate Growth, the R.E. "Ted" Turner Innovator of the Year Award from the Southern Cable Telecommunications Association, and the Fast 50 Award for Growth from the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association.
In 2008, Charter stock failed to meet Nasdaq standards and was given warning to comply by October 13 or request an extension.
Also in 2008, it acquired the cable-television franchise and service for the Cerritos and Ventura, California, areas from Wave Broadband.
2009: Bankruptcy and emergence
In February 2009, Charter Communications announced that it planned to file for Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on or before April 1, 2009. The action would allow Charter to pay its debt obligations, and cancel its obligations to shareholders. Private equity firm Apollo Management expected to own most of Charter's shares after the bankruptcy. Charter filed for a prearranged bankruptcy on March 28, 2009. The company expected the financial restructuring to reduce its debt by $8 billion, as well as adding $3 billion of new investment, and refinancing other debt.
On November 30, 2009, its bankruptcy plan was approved, which extinguished its stock and cut approximately $8 billion in debt. That day, Charter emerged from bankruptcy despite many of its creditors' objections over its bankruptcy plan.
2010–2012: Nasdaq re-listing; leadership change
On September 14, 2010, Charter Class A common stock was re-listed on Nasdaq under the symbol "CHTR".
In 2011, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen stepped down as chairman and from the board of directors' seat, but at the time remained the largest single shareholder. Also in that year, Charter signed a multi-year deal with TiVo to deliver content via its platform.
Thomas M. Rutledge was appointed as a director and president and chief executive officer effective February 13, 2012.
The same year, Charter priced $1.25 billion senior debt, offering to pay down short- and long-term debt.
2013–2014: Purchase of Optimum West; Liberty Media investment
On February 8, 2013, Charter announced an agreement to acquire some former Bresnan Communications systems from Cablevision in a transaction worth US$1.63 billion. The deal brought Charter cable systems to 375,000 customers in Colorado's mountains and Western Slope, as well as in Utah, Wyoming and Montana.
Approximately one month later, on March 19, 2013, Charter announced that Liberty Media, a company controlled by former TCI CEO John C. Malone, would be acquiring a 27.3% ownership interest in the company, making it the company's largest single shareholder, largely through the purchase of interests held by investment funds following Charter's 2009 restructuring. In November 2014, Liberty's holdings in Charter as well as a small minority interest in Time Warner Cable were spun off as a separate holding company named Liberty Broadband Corporation, which as of early 2015 was 47.1% controlled by Malone.
2014–2017: Acquisition of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks
On January 13, 2014, Charter Communications said it was interested in buying its larger rival Time Warner Cable. After three previous attempts to buy and merge with the company, all of which failed, Charter's chief executive officer Thomas Rutledge wrote in an open letter to Time Warner Cable's chief executive officer Robert Marcus stating, "I believe we have a significant opportunity to put our companies together in a way that will create maximum, long-term value for shareholders and employees of both companies". The $132.50 per share offer, just above TWC's closing price at $132.40 on January 13, was rejected.
On February 13, 2014, Time Warner Cable accepted an offer of $158.82 per share from Comcast, avoiding a hostile takeover situation from Charter.
On April 28, 2014, Comcast and Charter announced that, assuming Comcast's merger with Time Warner Cable was successful, Charter would acquire 1.4 million Comcast/Time Warner Cable customers, bringing Charter's subscriber total to 30 million and making Charter, by its own count, the second-largest cable operator in the country. In addition to the 1.4 million divested subscribers, Comcast also agreed to swap 1.6 million subscribers with Charter in an even, tax-efficient exchange whose intent is to improve the geographic spread of both companies. In a third part of the agreement, Comcast would spin off 2.5 million subscribers into a new publicly traded company in which Charter would hold a 33% stake – with an option to eventually own the whole company – and former Time Warner Cable shareholders would hold a 67% stake.
In late March 2015, Charter announced plans to purchase Bright House Networks from Advance/Newhouse for $10.4 billion in a combination of cash and equities convertible to Charter stock. The deal was contingent on, among other approvals, the completion of Charter's transactions with Comcast, and the expiration of Time Warner Cable's right of first offer to buy Bright House itself (which was not expected to be exercised in light of the merger with Comcast). However, facing potential difficulties in reaching regulatory approval, Comcast called off its merger with Time Warner Cable in April 2015.
On May 26, 2015, Charter and Time Warner Cable announced that they had entered into a definitive agreement for Charter to merge with Time Warner Cable in a deal valued at $78.7 billion. Charter also confirmed that it would continue with its proposed acquisition of Bright House Networks under slightly modified terms. The deal was subject to regulatory approval, although the deal was expected to face less scrutiny from the FCC than the Comcast/TWC deal, as the companies were relatively smaller, and their media holdings are not as extensive as those of Comcast. The TWC and Bright House systems as well as Charter Cable were to be migrated to the Spectrum brand following the conclusion of the merger.
Liberty Broadband will invest a further $5 billion in Charter and will ultimately hold about 20% ownership in the combined entity. Advance/Newhouse will own about 14%, and other current Time Warner Cable shareholders are expected to hold a combined 44% stake. The merger was approved by the Department of Justice and FCC on April 25, 2016; it is subject to conditions, including a requirement that Charter must not implement usage-based billing, nor use its dominant position in the market to impact the online video industry – which includes a prohibition on charging for interconnections. Charter was also required to expand its services to two million new households, with at least one million being in markets where competing providers operate.
The merger was completed on May 18, 2016. The purchase made Charter the third-largest pay television company in the United States, behind AT&T and Comcast (the former having completed its merger with DirecTV in mid-2015).
Since 2017: Post-Time Warner Cable acquisition
On January 26, 2017, it was reported that Verizon Communications was in talks with Charter to discuss a possible buyout. President and CEO of Liberty Media, Greg Maffei said that they were not interested in the deal. The deal was rejected around the end of May 2017. Charter claimed that the deal was too low for them to accept, and Charter's largest shareholder Liberty Media stated that they were not ready to sell.
In March 2017 under new FCC leadership, Charter's regulatory conditions were changed to require that Charter expand its services to 2 million households that are not currently served by any broadband provider, as opposed to requiring one million of these households to be in areas served by a competitor. The decision was made under goals by new chairman Ajit Pai to increase the availability of broadband in rural areas not served by high-speed Internet, but was criticized for maintaining oligopolies rather than encouraging wider competition.
In May 2017, it was reported that Charter and Comcast had entered into an agreement to "explore working together in a number of potential operational areas in the wireless space" in respect to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs); both providers have agreements with Verizon Wireless to re-sell its services, and Comcast announced that it would begin to do so under the brand Xfinity Mobile later in the year. The agreement includes a provision, lasting for one year, that requires the companies to receive consent from each other before performing wireless-related acquisitions or mergers.
On June 21, 2017, it was reported that Charter was in talks to buy Cox Communications.
On March 28, 2017, IBEW Local 3 went on strike, representing 1,800 employees. The company had proposed moving independently managed health and pension benefits to its own company plans, which union members considered would include drastic cuts for them and their families and loss of job security. The strike ended on April 19, 2022, with an outcome that some found disappointing.
On March 12, 2018, it was reported that Softbank had purchased 5% of Charter's stock on the open market.
Threatened revocation of New York cable franchises
In June 2018, the New York Public Service Commission fined Charter $2 million for failing to meet obligations it agreed to as conditions of its acquisition of Time Warner Cable. Charter was required to expand broadband service to at least 145,000 unserved or underserved residential units over four years, with a minimum of 36,250 new units per-year. The company was accused of making false statements in its progress reports, with an audit finding that Charter fraudulently declared at least 14,000 addresses already served by the company as being "new" deployments. The commission threatened the possibility of further regulatory remedies, including revocation of its cable franchises.
On July 27, 2018, the NYPSC voted to retroactively reverse its approval of Charter's acquisition of TWC, thus revoking its franchises in the state of New York. The commission cited Charter's repeated failures to meet deadlines on expansion promised as part of the TWC purchase, "attempts to skirt obligations to serve rural communities", and "purposeful obfuscation of its performance and compliance obligations to the Commission and its customers." Within 60 days, Charter was to submit a plan to divest and migrate its New York state cable operations (which serve around 2 million customers) to new owners.
Charter CEO Tom Rutledge threatened legal action against the commission. The company was later granted repeated extensions of its deadline.
In April 2019, Charter agreed to new conditions, under which it must complete its expansion of 145,000 new premises by September 30, 2021 (being credited for 64,827 premises up until December 2018), all of which must be outside of New York City, and are subject to milestone requirements. Charter must also contribute $12 million to a fund "for broadband expansion projects at locations to be selected by the Department and the Broadband Program Office", with half of this funding to be provided to either Charter or a competitor via a competitive bidding process.
Streaming venture
In April 2022, Charter and Comcast announced plans for a 50/50 venture to develop a streaming platform. As part of this effort, Comcast would license its Flex streaming platform and offer up the XClass TVs and the Xumo streaming service.
Unbundling and September 2023 Disney/Spectrum carriage dispute
Main article: Disney–Charter Communications disputeIn July 2023, Charter announced a major change to its cable offerings, allowing consumers to choose between the Spectrum Select Plus cable package with regional sports offerings and the Spectrum Select Signature package without, for a lower cost. Major sports networks ESPN and FS1 would still be available with the cheaper option. This move came at a time when many consumers were cutting the cord and regional sports networks were struggling.
At the same time, it announced a new distribution agreement with DirecTV that would allow that service to provide more flexible options for consumers not interested in sports programming.
ESPN and sister Disney channels went dark on Charter Spectrum on August 31, 2023, interrupting coverage of the college football season opener and the US Open. Charter wanted to offer cheaper, non-sports packages to customers, as a way to fight cordcutting and to prepare for ESPN's potential launch of a full-service over-the-top subscription service. The dispute ended on September 11, 2023, with capitulations by Disney involving the offering of ESPN+ and Disney+ direct to Spectrum customers, along with sports-free bundles, though it also resulted in the removal of several networks (whose programming had already been widely available on Hulu and Disney+ or was otherwise a low priority for carriage), including BabyTV, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Freeform, FXM, FXX, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo Mundo.
Acquisition of Liberty Broadband shares
On November 13, 2024, Charter announced its intent to acquire Liberty Broadband—a spin-off from Liberty Media that has held its stake in the company—in an all-stock deal. As a condition of the agreement, Liberty Broadband will spin off its subsidiary GCI Communication Corp. to its shareholders.
Operations
Current operations
As of 2022, Charter Communications offers service to an estimated 32 million people in 41 states with significant coverage in 48 states.
In November 2013, the company announced the re-branding of its residential services to Charter Spectrum, which encompassed an upgrade to an all-digital network for its video, voice and broadband services. The company relied heavily on a predominantly coaxial cable–based network. The newer fiber-optic service-delivery network system, provides higher bandwidth speeds than are available with its coaxial cable infrastructure.
Enterprise and mid-market businesses use Spectrum Enterprise for their services, which include fiber internet access, internet security, managed services, unified communications, and television products. Spectrum Business offers services to small businesses, which include internet access, internet security, phone, television, and Spectrum Mobile for Business.
Spectrum's local insertion advertising arm, Spectrum Reach, currently offers service in 36 states across 91 media markets.
Former operations
On March 27, 2006, Charter announced that it would sell cable systems serving approximately 43,000 customers in Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah to Orange Broadband Holding Company (since renamed Baja Broadband).
Charter also sold cable systems in West Virginia and Virginia to Cebridge Connections (later Suddenlink Communications and now known as Altice USA) and cable systems in Kentucky and Illinois to New Wave Communications. The company eventually returned to those areas (excluding Illinois) in 2016 when it acquired Time Warner Cable.
On October 14, 2008, the Fairmont Sentinel reported that Charter was selling parts of their system to Midcontinent Communications, including Charter's offices in Bemidji and International Falls, Minnesota. Starting February 1, 2009, Midcontinent took over some of Charter's cable system in Minnesota including Balaton, Bemidji, Canby, Ely, Fairmont, International Falls, Littlefork, Sherburn, and surrounding communities. Other areas in Minnesota would have sold to Comcast, but the deal fell through.
On October 22, 2010, Charter sold 32 head-ends serving 65,000 customers in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas, to Cobridge Communications.
Lawsuits
In 2002, the United States Department of Justice investigated the company, leading to the indictment of four former executives in 2005 for improper financial reporting related primarily to the inflation of cable subscriber numbers to improve financial figures.
In 2004, Charter settled a class-action lawsuit concerning the questionable financial reporting associated with the U.S. Department of Justice's 2002 investigation and subsequent indictment of four former executives. Current and former shareholders (and their attorneys) were awarded $144 million as well as an agreement from Charter to maintain and implement proper corporate governance measures.
In June 2010, Charter settled a class-action lawsuit for $18 million concerning wage and overtime claims for current and former field technicians in California, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Nebraska.
In December 2013, a complaint was filed by Steelhead Licensing LLC for patent infringement of U.S. Patent 8082318; it is described as "Controlling service requests transmitted from a client to a server".
In January 2016, the National Association of African-American Owned Media and Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios filed a $10 billion civil rights lawsuit against Charter, claiming discrimination for Charter's refusal to pick up Allen's eight-channel suite of networks (which mainly carry ES content already syndicated through local television stations and paid programming); Allen and the NAAAOM (which has an Entertainment Studios executive as its head) have already filed the same type of suit against several other providers.
In May 2016, Charter reached a settlement with the FCC regarding allegations by Zoom Telephonics that, in 2012, following the introduction of new rate plans and the introduction of DOCSIS 3.0, it had begun to bar new subscribers or those switching to the new plans from utilizing customer-purchased modems. Although Charter ended this practice in 2014 and began to allow certain certified modems to be used, Zoom argued that the company was still deliberately limiting options by requiring the modems to undergo a testing protocol concerning factors beyond whether they cause interference or unauthorized receipt of service (the only two factors which providers may use to restrict allowable modems under FCC policy). Charter paid a $640,000 fine, and agreed to use a shorter testing process allowing the use of any DOCSIS 3.0-compatible modem, and send compliance reports to the FCC every six months and whenever a modem is blacklisted.
On February 1, 2017, Charter was sued by the Attorney General of New York for failing to provide its advertised Internet speeds to customers in areas that Charter acquired by the purchase of Time Warner Cable. The company agreed to a $174.2 million settlement, including both refunds of $75 to affected subscribers (with an additional $75 to those who rented the defective modem hardware for at least 24 months), and offers of complimentary subscriptions to services such as HBO (3 months) or Showtime (6 months) to all subscribers with an internet and television bundle.
On August 28, 2017, Charter agreed to a $225,000 settlement in the state of Missouri over violations of telemarketing and No-call list laws.
In July 2022, a jury in Dallas County, Texas, ordered Charter to pay $375 million in compensatory damages plus $7 billion in punitive damages to the family of a woman who was murdered by a Spectrum technician. Lawyers for the woman's family contended that "systemic safety failures" at Spectrum led to the murder, and that Spectrum forged documents to force the case into arbitration instead of a jury trial, a claim that Charter denies. As of July 2022, Charter plans to appeal the ruling.
See also
- List of United States telephone companies
- List of cable television companies
- List of Connecticut companies
- Spectrum Sports
- Spectrum News
- SportsNet LA
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- "Patent US8082318 – Controlling service requests transmitted from a client to a server". google.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
- "Steelhead Licensing LLC v. Charter Communications Inc. patent lawsuit". priorsmart.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014.
- Patent US 8082318, Michael R Hosking, Simon A Beddus, Patrick B Farley, David Roxburgh, "Controlling service requests transmitted from a client to a server", published December 20, 2011, assigned to British Telecommunications
- Littleton, Cynthia (January 28, 2016). "Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios Files $10 Billion Discrimination Lawsuit Against Charter Communications, FCC". Variety. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
- Soule, Alexander (February 4, 2016). "Charter revenue, losses up amid diversity row". Stamford Advocate. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
- Brodkin, Jon (May 12, 2016). "Charter blocked customer-owned modems for two years, must pay fine". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
- Ramachandran, Shalini (February 1, 2017). "Charter Sued by New York Over Internet Speeds". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
- Ng, Alfred (February 1, 2017). "Charter's Spectrum sued for slow Internet speeds". CNET. Archived from the original on May 2, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
- Gartenberg, Chaim (December 18, 2018). "Charter-Spectrum reaches $174.2 million settlement in New York AG's speed fraud lawsuit". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
- Suntrup, Jack (August 28, 2017). "Charter to pay $225,000 to Missouri in settlement over alleged no-call list violations". stltoday.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
- Marfin, Catherine (July 26, 2022). "Spectrum ordered to pay $7 billion in punitive damages after employee killed Irving woman". Dallas News. The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
External links
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* Joint venture with Comcast. |
Companies of the Nasdaq-100 index | |
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- Companies in the Nasdaq-100
- Companies listed on the Nasdaq
- Charter Communications
- 1993 establishments in Missouri
- 1999 initial public offerings
- 2010 initial public offerings
- Cable network groups in the United States
- Cable television companies of the United States
- Companies based in Stamford, Connecticut
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009
- Internet service providers of the United States
- Mass media companies established in 1993
- Mass media companies of the United States
- Telecommunications companies established in 1993
- Telecommunications companies of the United States